THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, INDIA, February 7, 2008: Kerala’s government has sought the Supreme Court’s permission to allow all women to enter the Sabarimala temple, in places where they are not usually allowed.
The temple, dedicated to Lord Ayyappa and located in Kerala’s Pathanamthitta district, bars entry of women between the ages 10 and 50 — those in menstruating age — following an ancient tradition with mystical reasons.
According to state Devaswom Minister G. Sudhakaran, the state wanted to ensure equality. “We are very clear that there cannot be any discrimination,” he said at Thiruvananthapuram. The affidavit also clarified that the state government did not plan new legislation on the subject. In an earlier decision, the Kerala High Court had upheld the ban on women.
Sabarimala temple authorities however voiced their discontent at the proposal. Rahul Easwar, a spokesman, said, “We are very very sad and we are very angry about it. The traditions of the temple should be protected.”